From the Newtown Bee 2/9/2012

Newtown Arts Finds A Home In Edmond Town Hall

Ginger Hanrahan heads the group of five area artists who
make up Newtown Arts, a new studio in the former Probate
Court rooms of Edmond Town Hall that hopes to add to the
area’s art class choices by offering periodic courses,
workshops, and open studio events. —Carl Hebert Photography

Visual artist Ginger Hanrahan of Bethel realized one day last
year that she wanted a space in which to develop her textile
sculptures and paintings, without competing with her home life.

"I wanted to be somewhere near other artists, and somewhere
public, with foot traffic," she said. Living just over the Newtown
line, she realized that the answer might be right on Main Street in
Newtown. She scouted out the recently vacated Edmond Town Hall,
thinking, "What better place than City Hall?"

At the same time, she discovered through
conversation with four fellow artists she had met while working on
the MFA program at WestConn, that they were also seeking a place
that would provide them with enough solitude to work, but with
public contact, as well.

In June 2011, Ms Hanrahan and the four other
artists moved into three rooms that previously housed the Probate
Court at Edmond Town Hall. Ms Hanrahan, Betsy Davidson, Eileen
Tavolacci, Kevin Dunn and Saba Quraishi-Fiala have found the
arrangement allows for each of them to spend time working
independently in the quiet, bright rooms, gives them a professional
address, and provides them with a space to show their work to
interested buyers.

"We all have our specialties," emphasized Ms
Hanrahan, who teaches painting and drawing courses at Post
University in Waterbury. Ms Davidson is a sculpture artist, Ms
Tavolacci specializes in still life painting, Mr Dunn is a landscape
artist, and Ms Quraishi-Fiala, from Newtown, is a textile sculpture
artist.

Known collectively as Newtown Arts, the group
also is looking to expand creativity and support the lifelong
learning of the arts, said Ms Hanrahan, the self-proclaimed
ringleader of the "band of fellows." Since settling into Edmond Town
Hall, Newtown Arts has quietly begun to offer "a few highly
thought-out courses," said Ms Hanrahan. The art classes are
primarily for adults, but future plans include classes for children
and families. To date, Newtown Arts has held a Painting I class and
a Drawing class.

Hobos were a part of the 1930s landscape when Edmond Town
Hall was built, says Ginger Hanrahan of Newtown Arts, and
that is one reason the hobo artist is the new art group’s
logo. “In order to give the artist population work during
the Great Depression many were hired to make art for
libraries, municipal centers, hospitals, and libraries,” she
explains. Additionally, the logo conveys “the need for every
artist to explore, wander and trip the light fantastic, even
if in a purely symbolic manner.”

Beginning the week of February 25, said Ms Hanrahan, Mr Dunn will
lead a six-week course entitled "The Art Box." Each week will focus
on a different medium, including pastels and acrylics. Supplies are
included in the $120 fee for the course.

All of the artists who make up Newtown Arts are
trained, practicing artists with a variety of skills, Ms Hanrahan
said, and are committed to providing quality classes.

"Nobody's pretending here," said Ms Hanrahan. "I
am about teaching what I know: textile skills, painting, drawing,
and collage," she said. "We are sharing our skills at very high
levels, so hopefully, students can take what they learn and grow
with it. All levels are welcome, from someone with absolutely no art
background to the very skilled artist," she added.

The studio at Edmond Town Hall gives her a place
to work on more projects outside of her home, Ms Quraishi-Fiala
said, and she is excited about being in the old town hall, and the
energy that she sees Newtown Arts bringing to the space.

"I like the idea of our town creating an arts
buzz," said Ms Quraishi-Fiala, who plans to offer soft sculpture
classes in upcoming months.

"Most of what I do is felted art, created from
old sweaters that I get a thrift stores," she said, "and then I turn
the felted wool into children's clothing, or sculptures." She has
also made felted birdhouses for charity events, and felted
accessories.

"I like the fact that found things can be turned
into something new, and that if that object is left outside, it
returns to the earth, it breaks down," Ms Quraishi-Fiala explained
her art philosophy.

Bringing Newtown Arts to the centrally located
former town hall building is a move that Ms Quraishi-Fiala sees as a
way to create an arts hub of sorts in Newtown.

"I think Edmond Town Hall is a building that is
well known, and that is currently under utilized," she said. "As
[Newtown Arts] grows stronger and our classes get bigger, we will be
more involved in Edmond Town Hall, I think. I can see juried art
shows there. The space could allow for guest artists to come and
show their works. It's a high profile building that lends itself to
something fun like this," Ms Quraishi-Fiala said.

Newtown Arts has kept a low profile as it gets
underway, said Ms Hanrahan, in order that the artists do not
overwhelm themselves or the public. They currently hope to offer
four courses a year.

"We are trying to add to the other art programs
in the area, not take away from other programs," she said.

Newtown Arts hopes to host an open studio
evening, with workshops presented by nationally known artists, and
weekend workshops for families, as they feel their way through the
first year.

"Long range, I envision maybe an artist
residency program in Newtown, utilizing space up and down Main
Street. It's a great location," said Ms Hanrahan, "and we want to
offer more experiences and enrichment for the people of Newtown and
their children. We're not in a hurry, though. We are still
developing, and are open to suggestions."

So far, Newtown Arts is thrilled with the space
at Edmond Town Hall. "There is visibility here," Ms Hanrahan pointed
out, "with people coming and going for movies, events in the
Alexandria Room, the gymnasium, and the dance classes. There is
plenty of space here for our classes. If we get a lot of students,
we can spread out. There is space to do open studios and potential
for a gallery, as well as potential for fundraising for Edmond Town
Hall."

Being on Main Street in Newtown, she said, gives
the members of Newtown Arts a sense of permanency and an address
with "panache."

People who wander into the side hallway of
Edmond Town Hall are excited to find an artist at work, Ms Hanrahan
said, and all of the artists welcome visitors, whenever "The Artist
Is In" sign is posted on the door.

To find out details about The Art Box course, or
upcoming classes, call 203-748-5849 and leave a message.